Chelsea Moved Straight to the FA Cup semi-finals with a 4-3 win over Leicester in a match that saw a missed penalty and a last-minute winner.
It was a thrilling clash at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea came out on top with a 4-2 victory over Leicester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals. The two teams met for the first time in the competition since Leicester’s triumph in the 2021 final at Wembley, and it did not disappoint.
Chelsea got off to a strong start, dominating possession and creating numerous chances in the first half. Marc Cucurella opened the scoring in the 13th minute, finishing off a well-worked team move. The Blues continued to push forward, and their efforts were soon rewarded when Cole Palmer found the back of the net in stoppage time, giving them a comfortable 2-0 lead at half-time.
But, as has been a recurring theme this season, Chelsea’s defense let them down once again. In the 51st minute, Adrien Disasi inadvertently scored an own goal, giving Leicester a lifeline. The Foxes then equalized in the 62nd minute through a well-taken goal by Sheffield Mavididi.
Just when it seemed like the game would end in a draw, chaos ensued. Leicester’s Callum Doyle received a second yellow card, resulting in a red, for a foul on Raheem Sterling. However, a VAR review showed that the foul was committed outside the penalty area, and the initial penalty was downgraded to a free-kick. Sterling then proceeded to blast the free-kick high and wide, much to the frustration of the Chelsea faithful.
Eight minutes were added to the game, and in the dying moments, Chelsea produced a moment of brilliance. Youngster Carney Chukwuemeka and Palmer exchanged quick passes in the box, with the latter providing a delightful backheel for the former to score the winning goal. The Blues held on to their lead and booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his disappointment at not being able to capitalize on their first-half dominance. However, he praised his team’s character for fighting till the end. Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca was proud of his team’s performance and urged them to continue playing with their identity.
This was luck to Chelsea as they earned a spot in the FA Cup semi-finals. It will take place on the weekend of April 20/21. This means their Premier League match against Brighton will have to be rescheduled.